Everything Else In Bodybuilding

35: Sudden (or FAKE) Muscle Growth With Synthol And Other Site Enhancement Products In Bodybuilding With Guest Larry Pollock

Today’s guest, Larry Pollock, has a 40-year history in the bodybuilding industry that includes some experiences that you are more likely to hear in a movie. His no-holds-bar attitude and honesty is what piqued my interest to come on the show today to have the conversation in and around the subject of site enhancement injections like synthol and their prevalence and use in bodybuilding across the men and women’s divisions today. 

Come join the Facebook group called “The ‘Everything Else’ in Bodybuilding Podcast Insiders!” and let me know your thoughts and key takeaways!

Find Larry at undergroundperformancegym.com and Larry Pollock on Facebook and Instagram

Additional Resources
-Want your posing skills to go from “meh” to awesome? Learn more at:
http://www.weeklyposing.com
-Want to learn how to pose for your show? Learn Here:
http://www.learntopose.com/virtualclinic
-Want to WIN your next competition? Learn more at: http://www.posingwinsshows.com
-1 on 1 Training and Nutrition at http://www.killitwithdrive.com
-FREE posing tutorials for Wellness, Figure, Bikini, and Men's Physique competitors at
http://www.learntopose.com
-FREE ebook “5 Things Every Bodybuilding and Fitness Competitor Needs To Know Before Preparing For A Show” at http://www.eeinbb.com
-FREE posing assessment and road mapping call at http://www.learntopose.com
-Grab your “My Own Motivation” tank top at https://shop.killitwithdrive.com/

Key Takeaways:

Meet Larry Pollock (3:10)
Anabolics in the 1980s and its evolution to becoming illegal (7:32)
Misconceptions regarding anabolics (15:32)
Site enhancement of muscles with substances like synthol appears on the scene (19:00)
What is Synthol, the goal of its use, and does it hurt (23:31)
Larry trains for the Mr USA with Nasser Sonbaty and fist uses Synthol (25:30)
How does synthol affect performance at the gym (29:30)
Water based site enhancement versus oil based (33:40)
What percentage of the top competitors does Larry think use site enhancement products (35:50)
Site enhancement products in the muscles in women’s divisions including PMMA plastic (38:12)
Rich Piana and PMMA (40:20)
Side effects of site enhancement products and synthol (42:15)
How do bodybuilding judges score when site enhancement is evident (45:53)
What is the distinct difference in the look of the muscles after use of synthol/site enhancement (47:05)
Do synthol and site enhancement products have an anabolic affect on muscle growth (49:00)
Who is administering these site injections and are they legal (50:30)
Larry’s personal thoughts on synthol/site enhancement (56:17)
Muscle implants versus synthol (58:35)
Larry’s life story becomes a movie script (1:04:00)

Mentions:

Mike Sable, Mike Mentzer, Nasser Sonbaty, Shawn Ray, Arnold schwarzenegger, Boston Loyd, Milos Sarcev

34: Reflections, Observations, and Gossip on the 2022 IFBB Olympia

In this episode I break down the results of each of the categories that competed at the 2022 IFBB Olympia competition and I provide some insight on the things I observed over the weekend.  I talk about the venue, I highlight some of the competitors, and I provide overall feedback on the show and the expo.  Mixed in there is some gossip too!

Come join the Facebook group called “The ‘Everything Else’ in Bodybuilding Podcast Insiders!” and let me know your thoughts and key takeaways!

Additional Resources:
-Want your posing skills to go from “meh” to awesome? Learn more at:
http://www.weeklyposing.com
-Want to learn how to pose for your show? Learn Here:
http://www.learntopose.com/virtualclinic
-Want to WIN your next competition? Learn more at: http://www.posingwinsshows.com
-1 on 1 Training and Nutrition at http://www.killitwithdrive.com
-FREE posing tutorials for Figure, Bikini, and Men's Physique competitors at
http://www.learntopose.com
-FREE ebook “5 Things Every Bodybuilding and Fitness Competitor Needs To Know Before Preparing For A Show” at http://www.eeinbb.com
-FREE posing assessment and road mapping call at http://www.learntopose.com
-Grab your “My Own Motivation” tank top at https://shop.killitwithdrive.com/

Key Takeaways:
*How the IFBB social media hype and promotion differs from other federations (2:40)
*My experience watching the prejudging live at the expo (5:20)
*My thoughts on the results for each category - fitness (7:03)
*My thoughts on the results for each category - men’s physique (7:20)
*My thoughts on the results for each category - figure (7:34)
*My thoughts on the results for each category - women’s physique (9:20)
*My thoughts on the results for each category - women’s bodybuilding (10:04)
*My thoughts on the results for each category - classic physique (10:29)
*My thoughts on the results for each category - 212 (12:02)
*My thoughts on the results for each category - bikini (13:16)
*My thoughts on the results for each category - wellness (20:12)
*My thoughts on the results for each category - open men’s bodybuilding (21:41)
*My 2 cents on the commentary for the divisions during the night show (23:27)
*Las Vegas versus Orlando for the host city (23:55)

 

33: Meet The Federations Part 2: ”The WNBF” With Guest Nancy Andrews

Welcome back! This is Part 2 of the podcast series I am doing is called "Meet The Federations" where you are going to learn first-hand all the different options there are in the sport of bodybuilding by highlighting people in the different federations that know each of them the best.

Today we are talking all about the WNBF (World Natural Bodybuilding Federation) and my guest is Nancy Andrews, 4x WNBF Pro World Champion, promotor, judge, head judge, and WNBF co-owner. 

Learn what makes the WNBF different from other federations and how it has evolved over the past 30 years. Also, learn which of the most successful IFBB bodybuilders were also champions in the WNBF!

Come join the Facebook group called “The ‘Everything Else’ in Bodybuilding Podcast Insiders!” and tell us your favorite part about this week’s episode.

Additional Resources:
-Want your posing skills to go from “meh” to awesome? Learn more at http://www.weeklyposing.com
-Want to learn how to pose? Learn Here: http://www.learntopose.com/virtualclinic
-Want to WIN your next competition? Learn more at: http://www.posingwinsshows.com
-FREE posing tutorials for Figure, Bikini, and Men's Physique competitors at http://www.learntopose.com
-FREE ebook “5 Things Every Bodybuilding and Fitness Competitor Needs To Know Before Preparing For A Show” at http://www.eeinbb.com
-Grab your “My Own Motivation” tank top at https://shop.killitwithdrive.com/
-Support my podcast tour of The United States with a donation via Venmo! https://account.venmo.com/u/Michele-Welcome

Key Takeaways (and minute markers):
*Meet Nancy Andrews (2:48)
*Difference between promoting today versus pre-internet (5:18)
*Why did Nancy choose to promote with the WNBF versus other federations (8:28)
*Was Nancy ever tempted to pursue non drug tested competitions (14:50)
*Why Nancy believes the growth of natural organizations has been difficult (18:13)
*What does “natural” mean to the WNBF and does the WNBF make any exceptions? (19:39)
*What makes the WNBF different/special/unique (24:54)
*Is there a difference in the quality of the competitors that come from the International scene? (29:21)
*Why does Nancy think there is passion for natural bodybuilding (35:00)
*What measures does the WNBF take to make sure the judges are well versed in the judging criteria and the scoring is fair (39:08)
*Which division does Nancy think is the most difficult to judge? (46:56)
*Which division does Nancy think is the least difficult to judge? (50:33)
*How has the federation as a whole evolved over the past 30 years? (51:53)
*What is “Fit Body” and why is there not a “Physique” division (57:07)
*“Fit Body” versus Bodybuilding (1:01:18)
*Any recent changes to the WNBF rules like there has been with the OCB about competing outside of the natural federations (1:03:28)
*Where does Nancy see the sport of bodybuilding going in the next 5, 10, + years. (1:09:07)
*How has the WNBF kept the level of muscle in the bikini division from getting out of hand (1:16:48)
*Future of the WNBF federation (1:19:47)
*Nancy’s upcoming shows (1:21:28)
*Find Nancy at www.nancyandrewspresents.com worldnaturalbb.com @wnbfpres and @wnbfofficial on instagram (1:24:58)

Episode Mentions:
Jay Cutler
Shaun Clarida
Kai Greene
Bob Bell
Tina Smith
Duane Broadway
Mike Ryan

32: How To Transition To Off Season (And It Not Suck)

Welcome back guys! The holiday season is in full swing and chances are you are focusing on other things besides contest prep.  For most competitors this is what we call the “off season.”  I have found over the years that the transition from contest prep mode to “off season” can be challenging for people. 

Today I talk about how to make it suck a lot less.   I also provide some strategy on how to structure your off season based on your specific goals, whether it’s to be leaner at your next show, build muscle, or improve stage presence.

Come join the Facebook group called “The ‘Everything Else’ in Bodybuilding Podcast Insiders!” and talk to us about your post show experience(s).

Additional Resources:
-Want your posing skills to go from “meh” to awesome? Learn more at http://www.weeklyposing.com
-Want to learn how to pose in less than an hour? Learn Here: http://www.learntopose.com/virtualclinic
-Want to WIN your next competition? Learn more at: http://www.posingwinsshows.com
-1 on 1 Training and Nutrition at http://www.killitwithdrive.com
-FREE posing tutorials for Figure, Bikini, and Men's Physique competitors at http://www.learntopose.com
-FREE ebook “5 Things Every Bodybuilding and Fitness Competitor Needs To Know Before Preparing For A Show” at http://www.eeinbb.com
-Grab your “My Own Motivation” tank top at https://shop.killitwithdrive.com/
-Support my podcast tour of The United States with a donation via Venmo! https://account.venmo.com/u/Michele-Welcome

Key Takeaways
*How my perspective on off season has changed over the past 10 years (2:20)
*Working out is made out to be such a big deal (4:24)
*The dreadful 1 mile run (5:08)
*Better is Better (6:12)
*You just need to move (6:55)
*Transitioning your diet to off season (8:15)
*Alcohol and post show (11:34)
*Post show goals - getting leaner (14:14)
*Post show goals - building muscle (15:50)
*Post show goals - better your posing and stage presence (17:19)
*Post show and PEDs (19:27)

 

31: Meet The Federations Part 1: ”The OCB” With Guest Sean ”Sully” Sullivan

Welcome back! This new podcast series I am doing is called "Meet the Federations." My goal is for you to learn first hand all the different options there are in the sport of bodybuilding by highlighting people in the different federations that know each of them the best. Today we are talking all about the OCB federation.

My guest today, Sean "Sully" Sullivan, has been affiliated with the OCB federation since it’s inception 20 years ago.  He is also a head judge, a promoter, and a part owner of the federation.  In addition to talking all about what makes the OCB different from other federations and answering some key questions about what is considered "natural," Sean shares some real cool stories that I think you are going to love. 

We had a bad signal that day so some parts are a little choppy but you can still make out the message... so go easy on the feedback, lol.

Come join the Facebook group called “The ‘Everything Else’ in Bodybuilding Podcast Insiders!” and tell us your favorite part about this week’s episode.

Additional Resources:
-Want your posing skills to go from “meh” to awesome? Learn more at http://www.weeklyposing.com
-Want to learn how to pose in less than an hour? Learn Here: http://www.learntopose.com/virtualclinic
-Want to WIN your next competition? Learn more at: http://www.posingwinsshows.com
-FREE posing tutorials for Figure, Bikini, and Men's Physique competitors at http://www.learntopose.com
-FREE ebook “5 Things Every Bodybuilding and Fitness Competitor Needs To Know Before Preparing For A Show” at http://www.eeinbb.com
-Grab your “My Own Motivation” tank top at https://shop.killitwithdrive.com/
-Support my podcast tour of The United States with a donation via Venmo! https://account.venmo.com/u/Michele-Welcome

Key Takeaways (and minute markers):

*Meet Sean Sully Sullivan & why he chose to compete and promote with the OCB(2:22)
*The surreal moment Sean was introduced to bodybuilding as a teenager and ended up at the Olympia as Arnold Schwarzenegger’s guest  (6:45)
*Sean keeps running into Arnold Schwarzenegger in Massachusetts and gives back to him in a quiet way to thank him for changing his life (14:56)
*Sean asks Arnold how he got people to love him? And Sean describes how the Arnold Sean met is different than the one portrayed in Pumping Iron (17:55)
*Why Sean decided to promote in a drug tested federation (26:57)
*What was the WHY behind Sean’s competition goals (37:11)
*What does "natural" mean according to the OCB federation? (45:47)
*Is hormone replacement therapy a blanket “no” in the OCB for men and women including women during menopause (53:27)
*Information on Waivers in the OCB (55:33)
*The time that Sean was duped by a contestant that faked a doctors note and an illness to get a waiver for testosterone supplementation (57:52)
*The process of urine testing in the OCB and how it affects when contest results are posted (1:00:00)
*OCB adopts some new positions including with the masters divisions (1:03:47)
*Why Sully thinks the bikini division is the most difficult to judge and some insight on how Sully teaches how to score this division (1:07:12)
*What are the requirements and the process to becoming a judge in the OCB (1:19:27)
*Why The OCB removed the rule that pros cannot compete in non drug tested federations and why the rule was adopted in the first place (1:26:42)
*Future Goals and planned improvements of the OCB (1:31:08)
*Sully’s two podcasts, the Zen of Bodybuilding and Chevrons (1:37:00)

 

Be sure to subscribe to the show and leave a review with any key takeaways from the episode!

 

30: Why I Am Frustrated With The Bodybuilding Industry

Welcome back to the show!  Tune in as I share the disturbing events that happened at the local show I was at last weekend. Find out what I think has led to things like this happening frequently in bodybuilding…and why issues like this continue to get swept under the rug.

I woke up in the middle of the night thinking about it and sure enough this episode runs a little longer than usual due to my passion behind the topic.

If there as ever an episode for you to consider sharing, I hope it’s this one.  Thanks for listening :)

You can also join the Facebook group called “The ‘Everything Else’ in Bodybuilding Podcast Insiders!” and tell us your favorite part about this week’s episode.

Additional Resources:
-Want your posing skills to go from “meh” to awesome? Learn more at http://www.weeklyposing.com
-Want to learn how to pose in less than an hour? Learn Here: http://www.learntopose.com/virtualclinic
-Want to WIN your next competition? Learn more at: http://www.posingwinsshows.com
-FREE posing tutorials for Figure, Bikini, and Men's Physique competitors at http://www.learntopose.com
-FREE ebook “5 Things Every Bodybuilding and Fitness Competitor Needs To Know Before Preparing For A Show” at http://www.eeinbb.com
-Grab your “My Own Motivation” tank top at https://shop.killitwithdrive.com/
-Support my podcast tour of The United States with a donation via Venmo! https://account.venmo.com/u/Michele-Welcome

Key Takeaways:
*Quick background on the bodybuilding and fitness divisions (2:57)
*FIVE things wrong with bodybuilding today that has created a very dangerous environment (6:05)
*First thing wrong - Trust (6:14)
*Second thing wrong - Regulation (8:47)
*Third thing wrong - To be competitive no longer requires time (10:05)
*Fourth thing wrong - big business (11:08)
*Fifth thing wrong - the new look (12:17)
*The real origins of bikini and men’s model divisions (12:38)
*The current attitude of PEDs in the industry (15:45)
*What happened this past weekend that has me frustrated with bodybuilding (17:09)
*Where do we go from here (20:05)
*Our industry is divided and why I speak about the industry in entirety (21:51)
*Comparing bodybuilding to real estate (24:22)
*My goal of this episode and how you can help (25:57)

--TRANSCRIPT--

What’s up guys from Las Vegas! Looking at the mileage on the van this morning it looks like we have driven about 20,000 miles promoting this show around the USA.  We will be settled here in Vegas for a few months so we can attend various shows on the west coast.  This month I will be judging a show for a different federation than the one I judged in NY in September.  This will actually be the third federation I have judged for and all three judging styes and criteria are different, which is cool.  I love that there are so many different options to choose from in bodybuilding.  I think people hear about only one and don’t realize there are many more.  In addition to judging here on the west coast, my husband and I are hosting booths at shows getting the word out about this podcast and of course my posing business as well. 

It’s been a minute since I’ve been able to launch one of these episodes but events from this past weekend really sparked the idea for this episode. In fact I was so affected by the events, I woke up in the middle of the night last night with thoughts and ideas, and I had to get up to jot them down in a note.  I know if I don’t do this, I won’t remember them by morning.

I will tell you what happened this weekend but first I need to give some background so you will understand why I am going to say that I am absolutely frustrated with bodybuilding.

You might recall, when I started competing 20 years ago, I competed in the bodybuilding division.  The only other people I knew that competed were my friend Shelley who was the one who inspired me to compete in the first place, Coach John Yobst, and my friend Ann who I met at the John’s personal training facility that Shelley went to.  That was it.  Bodybuilding was exclusive.  Because it was hard.  Not everyone could do what we do to compete.  You have to have massive patience, massive work ethic, and you would NEVER hear someone say that their goal is a pro card their first season.  Why? Because bodybuilding required muscle and muscle takes time and patience to build.  Bodybuilding was not an everyone gets a trophy sport and it was reserved for us odd balls that enjoyed the challenge.  Our reward was a level of self discovery that became life changing.

Besides bodybuilding there was the fitness division.  If you are over 40 you might remember seeing the fitness division on regular ESPN television.  Imagine?  Fitness was mainstream. It was broadcasted so the regular family could watch and be entertained by it.  These competitions were much more mainstream. Fitness was a huge deal too and there were actual exercise programs on tv that you could follow along and do from home.  Back then you didn’t have to be an Olympic level gymnast to win a show either.  In fact people with zero gymnastic backgrounds won many times.  I even had this crazy dream that someday I was going to do a fitness routine to the theme song for the movie Flashdance.

Fast forward 20+ years and the female bodybuilding division is tiny.  Many shows have maybe 1 entry. Some federations like the OCB got rid of it completely and just have the Physique division. The IFBB removed the pro division from the Olympia only to bring it back a couple years ago after private support and a new owner brought it back to life on the pro level.

Fitness, you can’t find that division pretty much anywhere on a large scale except the IFBB where you find the same fitness girls that have been competing for the past 10 years plus.  You aren’t seeing very many new additions to this division at all.  Most of the local shows don’t even offer the fitness division because there is no demand for it anymore.  There is no demand for it because if you watch the fitness routines in the IFBB you will see the level of difficulty and gymnastics skills that these girls have.  It’s incredible to watch, but definitely not an achievable division for the masses. 

The only other federation that has a history of the fitness division on a large scale is the Fitness Universe federation. Their presence has moved to a much more international presence so you don’t see a lot of people posting about it here in the US.  I will be at one of the few large US shows for this federation in Hollywood coming up so I’ll let you know how the fitness division looks there today.  It’s been a minute since I’ve been to one of their big shows.

I give you all of this background so you can understand the evolution of the industry and why I am frustrated with it today, especially after what happened this past weekend.

In fact I’m going to give you even more context before I dive into the events from this past weekend.  I’m going to share with you FIVE things wrong with bodybuilding today that has created a very dangerous environment…and then share what happened this weekend. 

For one, Bodybuilding was originally an exclusive sport and you really needed to know someone and get a referral in order to find a coach that understood what it takes to help you prepare for a show. That hasn’t changed. Today, bodybuilding coaching, and finding out about bodybuilding shows to begin with, are still built by referral.  Except what HAS changed is the WHO people are getting referred to.  It’s no longer exclusive.  There is a reason for this and I’ll get to it in #2 coming up.

No longer is there a small circle of coaches that work with people. It’s literally a free for all today with tons and tons of coaches with the smoke and mirrors of their social media profiles as their only credentials.  And since bodybuilding is still a word of mouth sport, the level of trust is much greater when someone is referred a coach.  Think about it, no matter what industry we are talking about, if you are given a referral by someone you respect and trust, you automatically feel a level of comfort with that person.  If so-and-so says this person is awesome and has worked wonders for them, you are going to feel differently making that call to connect than you would a cold call from an ad.

So TRUST has become a problem, because I think a lot of people don’t question as much as they should the protocols they are given. They put more trust and faith into their coach because this person came from a referral, or maybe you know him or her from seeing them work with others at your gym, so there is that crowd psychology that happens too.  And for financial motives, mass marketing has over-complicated weight loss, nutrition, and exercise and made it seem like this ridiculous undertaking that requires a special diet or workout in order to have any success with obtaining any kind of fitness goal.  So now add the mystique of being a bodybuilder and wanting to achieve this mysterious and oh-so-fabulous stage look that is far beyond a regular weight loss transformation, and it becomes an impossible undertaking on your own….so you seek out a coach….by referral….and trust the process.  And you should seek out a coach.  But never stop questioning the process, especially if something seems off. 

Second, there has never been any regulation whatsoever on coaching practices so the level of dangerous practices has escalated with no oversight.  Coaching is a big popularity contest.   Oh I’m with Coach Awesomeness and he is so incredible. What makes him incredible?  The list of pro cards?  Ok, I’ll just come right out and say it.  How many of those pro cards were achieved without PEDs?  Are you even aware that many, if not most, of these girls are on PEDs to achieve those fast results?  Remember my last episode with Dr. Mike T. Nelson about 5 stupid things competitors still do despite basic physiology saying otherwise?  Dr. Mike has a phd in exercise physiology, a masters in biomechanics, and is a professor.  He has been called in to share his techniques with top government agencies.   Good enough for the government, but not for the popularity contest that has become coaching in bodybuilding.  The information Dr. Mike shared on that podcast was priceless.  But get this…we have less than 1,000 listens to that episode.  While the podcasts that are all about gossip on who Chris Bumstead’s new coach is will get the tens if not hundreds of thousands of views collectively.  So coaches like Mike don’t get the visibility and the parade of bro science coaches continues to march on.

The Third thing wrong with bodybuilding, is not the new divisions themselves, but what has happened since the addition of new divisions to non drug tested federations that do not require the amount of time to build muscle.  Bodybuilding is a sport that has evolved into one where you no longer need the years of preparation to be competitive.  I’ve seen girls who, no joke, started formal exercise for the first time in their life and within 6 months won a pro card.  A pro card. The same accolade that a bodybuilder with 10 to 20 years of lifting walks home with.  And in many federations, the same amount of prize money too.  I’m not talking down on any division, I’m talking complete FACTS and truth with no sugar coating about what is happening in the sport.  You want to know the truth, that’s what you are going to get here on this show.  No bubble gum talk about how everything and everyone is inspiring.  There are plenty inspiring stories and inspiring people, but the fact that this industry has become a major business that attracts anyone with a physique transformation is a fact. 

Which leads me to the fourth thing wrong in this sport, which is that it has become a big business.  More divisions with different levels of muscle requirements, means more people able to compete, which means more registrations, which also means more audience tickets, and from a coaching standpoint, means more Pro card opportunities, which also means more client pro cards to use as credentials in their social media profiles.  There are coaches that if you look to see what their formal education Is that makes them qualified to coach others you will often see two things.  One, they competed. And two, the number of pro card wins their clients have won in total.  That’s it for credentials.  You might find someone with a nutrition certification or a personal training certification too.  Bonus if there are additional degrees.  One coach in particular that coaches a lot of IFBB pros….I looked for credentials beyond pro card wins and couldn’t find ..any. 

And the fifth thing wrong is that the physiques rewarded in the divisions like bikini and men’s physique that were originally developed in bodybuilding-style federations to display just a foundation of muscle, a healthy appearance, a more hot on the beach look, has evolved over the past 5 years in particular to favor a much leaner and more muscular physique. 

If you are new to bodybuilding you might think that these divisions started in federations like the NPC. They didn’t. Bikini and model like men and women’s divisions started in places like the Fitness Universe federation, which as you might recall from what I said earlier, was a mainstream federation you could watch on tv. It wasn’t a bodybuilding driven federation and there were no such thing as Pro cards. The judging was done by modeling agencies, photographers, and other people in those kind of industries. You didn’t win a pro card, no, instead you won magazine covers, modeling contracts, and worldwide exposure. This federation never had a medic on standby for dehydration. There was a medic in case someone got hurt in a fitness routine. The look of bikini and men’s modeling and even figure and the more muscular men’s divisions was always healthy and the judging factored in marketability, which is why even today, although this federation is more popular overseas than in the US, it’s still alive and well and maintains a healthy and achievable look. And still no medic on staff for dehydration.

I’m talking about the the changes in The bikini, mens physique, and figure divisions in the other federations that are judged with a BODYBUILDING focus. Fitness Universe has been around for like 40 years and these issues were never present. It’s the bodybuilding drive. federations where the issues have come up.

Although today’s rewarded look is more muscular and leaner than when these divisions were introduced, still achievable without PEDs, maybe not figure in the NPC or men’s physique in IFBB, or Figure in the WBFF. Definitely possible in the OCB, WNBF, INBA and such. But here’s the problem.  The amount of muscle in the drug tested federations is considerably smaller than non drug tested federations. Same divisions. All of these divisions would normally require a few years of training to build the muscle. But there is a major disconnect because what’s being promoted on social media by coaches are these drastic transformations in a short amount of time too. And the elephant in the room is that to accomplish this, people are being encouraged to use PEDs and making it seem like they are no big deal.  In fact many of these transformations wouldn’t be possible so quickly without PED use.  Not because the look is unobtainable. It’s the time it would take to achieve them without PEDs. Muscle takes time to build.  Women’s lower bodies don’t just erase fat magically.  Many don’t want to wait a few years to be competitive when they see their friend do one show and win, since again, this sport has become perceived as achievable for everyone. 

But no one is talking about this.  Instead I was listening to a podcast recently where the coach literally said to his audience that you can compete naturally, but competing enhanced makes the process less difficult.  So basically the reason a woman should use anabolics and hormone adjusting concoctions is so her prep can be easier. I can’t even with this crap.  Remember what I said earlier about bodybuilding and how exclusive it was originally because not everyone could do it?  Well now you have coaches that say the reason to take things that are potentially body altering is because it will make bodybuilding easier. And my favorite bro science line is the fake reassurance that what they are given is super mild so it’s no big deal.  Guys, No amount of PED use is without some sort of potential sides. And some of these sides you will be living with for the rest of your life.  YOU are. Not your coach.   

If you know this and don’t care, that’s fine. I’m not talking about those of you who have lifted for 10-30 years and understand the pros and cons of PED use and choose to go that route fully educated and feeling good about your decision.  Even Victor Black, who was my recent guest expert on PEDs also says to get to your genetic potential first before even considering PED use.  I’m not talking to you that are in the know except to ask you to share this message I’m sending out to the bodybuilding industry. Let’s find those men and women who really need to hear this message.

Which leads me to this past weekend and what happened. 

I was at a local bodybuilding show and six women were treated for dehydration and it was suspected to be due to use of diuretics.  They were ALL women.  All newer competitors. Again, local show you guys.   One was even sent to the hospital.  Apparently this women was treated at first, brought back to adequate hydration levels, only for her coach to give her another diuretic, which then resulted in her being sent to the hospital.

I thought to myself that I wonder if she died who would be held responsible.  Probably not her coach because she willingly took that pill.  In fact, there are coaches in the industry who have had a few client deaths under their supervision.  They still have a long book of business.  The information spread for five seconds and died because of majorly life changing information like Chris Bumstead getting a new coach.

So let’s review what I said earlier about the 5 things wrong with this sport and then you can decide for yourself who is at fault.  First that trust issue.  Coach was trusted.  Clearly, because she took not one but two pills even after she was treated for dehydration.  Whose fault was that?  Not so obvious.

Second, there is no regulation in coaching practices so the perception of there being a magic peak week protocol runs rampant in our sport when true scientist like Dr Guillermo Escalante who was a guest here recently said it himself that no one needs a diuretic and instead just needs to get leaner.   So general acceptance of peak week protocols is a thing in our sport.

Third. New divisions created a new sport where competing is achievable for anyone.  Bodybuilding is a new sport.  It’s not for the exclusive anymore.  In fact, I saw a girl drunk and high at the same show rolling around on the floor back stage.    

Fourth bodybuilding is a business, so more divisions, more competitors, means more coaching and attendance opportunities.  Do one show and you can now make money being a coach because there is enough competitors to go around.  So there is a lot more money pushing attendance at shows, an abundance of posing clinics, and a lot more coaches promoting their services. 

And 5th is the level of leanness.  I was taken back by the level of leanest of competitors at this local amateur show.  The stakes have gotten higher in divisions that weren’t originally designed to be that shredded …. and from experience, I know that getting shredded requires a level of discomfort mentally and physically.  Not everyone can handle that.  And it’s not going to change. I was talking to a head judge in the IFBB recently and asked about the Leanness.  They like lean.  And muscle.  So there is no turning back.

So where do we go from here?  I really don’t know.  I know that the world of bodybuilding is still a sub culture so a lot of things easily get swept under the rug.  And that even deaths don’t change anything.  A posing client of mine did her first local show in Canada and at that show someone actually died.  Didn’t see any posts about it anywhere.  Nothing on the national news either. Did a Google search and found no coverage of it either.

Bodybuilding isn’t all bad. I talk about the good the bad and the ugly here on this show and this topic is one of those ugly ones. Bodybuilding has transformed me mentally, physically, and I have had the privilege to help men and women find the super star within and bring it out of them on stage at their shows. I’m working with a make bodybuilder that is about to turn 75 and he told me recently that from working with me he has discovered things about himself he never knew. And he has never felt so confident on stage before. I love the self discovery and continuous self improvement that happens with bodybuilding. I don’t like seeing people making bad decisions with lifelong consequences that were preventable. I don’t like seeing people build poor relationships with their body, mind, and self love. And I don’t like seeing people’s trust get taken advantage of.

The only thing I can do besides work with people one on one or with my classes at learntopose.com is bring these conversations forward and try to reach the masses. I will continue to real-talk with you all here, and ask you guys to share it.  I’m glad you are listening and enjoying the messages, but we need to get these messages out to the masses so we can bypass the word of mouth information.  If everyone shared this episode somewhere, a group, to a friend, anything, that will help.  I’m creating a mass consolidation of info here on this show so that it will be a one stop resource for any competitor, male or female, no matter what level, what division, what federation you compete in. 

Our industry is divided.  Many federations have the attitude that if you aren’t with us you are against us too which doesn’t help.  I almost couldn’t have a booth for my posing business at a show because I teach and judge for other federations.  I was told at first that the federation only allowed those who are a part of the federation in exclusivity to be a part of their shows.  And I was a paying customer promoting my personal business that helps ME make a living. 

This word of mouth attitude about one federation being better than others is all across our industry.  Don’t you see how divided this makes our industry and how this affects how information is spread?  If you are being told these are the only coaches to listen to, these are the only shows to consider doing, you are not welcome here if you aren’t part of our federation, don’t you see how that creates a bubble around someone new to competing that keeps them from hearing other perspectives that might be better for them or HELP them? And do you see how valuable information will only continue to be segmented and not issued to people across all federations unless it breaks these industry bubbles and people see the sport as a whole?

I am partial to no federation because a bodybuilder is a bodybuilder no matter where he or she competes.  And I’ve competed in 6 federations, coached for pretty much all of them, and coming up I will have judged for 3 of them.  So my experience and view on the industry is going to be a lot different than the person that only competes, cares about, or allows their competitors to compete in one federation.  Or only teaches one division. And only women.  Or only men.  And my perspective will be without the industry popularity contest nonsense.  You will continue to learn the good the bad and the ugly across all federations and I will not sugar coat the truth to make friends. As an athlete wouldn’t you want to know all of your options?  Wouldn’t you want to know dangers, warning signs, pros, cons and things of the such when you are pursuing something that could legit harm you?  Or things that could help you become freaking awesome in this sport?  Super successful without the harm to your health?

On a side note, at a recent show, It was eye opening how many people shunned the flyers with info on my posing business, learntopose.com, we handed out.  It’s cool, I get it, that not everyone wants help, and I’m not trying to say if you didn’t grab a flyer you are a dick. I’m talking about the attitudes we got and how those were more surprising than anything.  The attitude like, they didn’t even want to consider another perspective.  Hand up, talk to the hand. Why this doesn’t make sense to me me is that bodybuilding is an individual sport, not a team sport, so improvement should be self motivated.   Let me give you a comparison to think about.

As you might recall in addition to my professional posing business for all divisions and federations, I’ve been a real estate broker and agent for 17 years.  I remember going to real estate conventions and everyone there was wearing the colors of their real estate firm and proudly stating what company they are with.  But everyone stopped at booths to hear about how they, an individual, can get better at real estate.  Everyone.  Why?  Well there’s money involved with real estate.  These realtors didn’t say, “well my real estate firm knows everything so I don’t need to hear anything more about what I can do to improve.”  No, they were hungry to improve because they were hungry to make money.

Real estate is also an individual profession where you are a part of a company, but you are your own business within it.  Like in bodybuilding you can be a part of a team, but at the end of the day, it’s not a team sport.  Similar. Your trophies are stored in your home.  If you earn prize money, YOU take it home. 

Plus to be successful in real estate, which is also, like bodybuilding, a word of mouth industry, you are reliant heavily on referrals.  Do you see how similar this is?

Here’s where the similarity send. In real estate, you can make a lot of money if you learn new tactics and strategies. In bodybuilding, will you earn more money if you hear a new perspective?  Nope. In fact you might earn ZERO money your entire career in bodybuilding.  Unlike in real estate you really don’t earn money at all in bodybuilding.  Instead, you spend a helluva lot and walk away with a plastic trophy, a line item in your social media profile, and super market flowers as my friend Kim says.

My goal in all of this is for you to not end up on a hospital gurney rushed to the hospital for something preventable. To not make decisions you will regret for the rest of your life. To not get caught up in the high school popularity show and focus on doing what’s best for you. I want you to walk away with self love, confidence, and looking and feeling like a champion. I need your help to spread the word.

All right guys I think that’s enough of a rant for today don’t you think? Thank you again for listening! I have a really great new series that I’m starting beginning next week where I am profiling each of the Federations one episode at a time. I think you guys are really gonna love this. My first interview for this new series will not disappoint.

In the meantime head over to learntopose.com if you want a free assessment on your Posing and a roadmap on how to get better, and dare I say, awesome at it. It’s free so head on over.

And as always please share this podcast in all of your Facebook groups and all of your friends so we can get the word out there. I appreciate you very much and will talk to you again soon.

29: Five Stupid Things Bodybuilders Still Do That Physiology Has Shown Is Incorrect With Guest Dr. Mike T. Nelson

Welcome back to the show! On this episode we bring on Dr. Mike T. Nelson to talk about the disconnect of basic physiology and the things bodybuilders do that just don’t make sense.  It’s a fun listen with Dr. Mike’s quirky sense of humor.  Give the show a thumbs up or leave a review on iTunes if you enjoyed it!

You can find Dr. Mike at www.miketnelson.com or on instagram at @drmiketnelson

You can also join the Facebook group called “The ‘Everything Else’ in Bodybuilding Podcast Insiders!” and tell us your favorite part about this week’s episode… and find out the latest on the podcast tour as we travel the USA promoting the show.

Additional Resources:
-Want accountability with your ongoing posing practice? Learn more at http://www.weeklyposing.com
-Want to learn how to pose? Learn Here: http://www.learntopose.com/virtualclinic
-Want to WIN your next competition? Learn more at: http://www.posingwinsshows.com
-FREE posing tutorials for Figure, Bikini, and Men's Physique competitors at http://www.learntopose.com
-FREE ebook “5 Things Every Bodybuilding and Fitness Competitor Needs To Know Before Preparing For A Show” at http://www.eeinbb.com
-Grab your “My Own Motivation” tank top at https://shop.killitwithdrive.com/
-Support my podcast tour of The United States with a donation via Venmo! https://account.venmo.com/u/Michele-Welcome

Key Takeaways:

*Meet Dr. Mike T. Nelson (3:08)
*#1 thing holding people back from reaching their [fitness] goals (8:06)
*Mike’s experience working with the government (11:00)
*What is Metabolic Flexibility (16:56)
*Where is the disconnect with fitness athletes with learning from their failures (18:55)
*1st stupid thing competitors do that doesn’t make sense - re: holding water (25:15)
*3 Types of people that prepare for shows (30:10)
*2nd stupid thing competitors do that doesn’t make sense - re: water loading (38:40)
*3rd stupid thing competitors do that doesn’t make sense - re: training during peak week (42:50)
*4th stupid thing competitors do that doesn’t make sense - re: complete depletion (47:00)
*5th stupid thing competitors do that doesn’t make sense - re: drug expectations (50:40)
*Is there such thing as “super responders” to anabolics? (54:25)
*Research and "MEsearch" i.e. individuality (59:40)
*The basic importance of salt (1:02:02)
*Salt and hypertension (1:10:32)
*How to follow Dr. Mike: MikeTNelson.com, instagram @drmiketnelson, Flex Diet Certification www.flexdiet.com Podcast: Flex Diet Podcast

 

28: The Three Types Of Competitors - Which One Are You?

Welcome back to the show! I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting while on the road and while judging and spectating at various bodybuilding shows.  I was thinking the types of people that compete in bodybuilding shows and came up with three of them.  

Join the Facebook group called “The ‘Everything Else’ in Bodybuilding Podcast Insiders!” and tell us which one reflects you the closest… and find out the latest on the podcast tour as we travel the USA promoting the show.

Additional Resources:
-Want accountability with your ongoing posing practice? Join my weekly group posing practice classes at http://www.weeklyposing.com
-Want to learn how to pose? Come to a LIVE virtual clinic! http://www.learntopose.com/virtualclinic
-Want to WIN your next competition? I can help! Learn more at: http://www.posingwinsshows.com
-FREE posing tutorials for Figure, Bikini, and Men's Physique competitors at http://www.learntopose.com 
-FREE ebook “5 Things Every Bodybuilding and Fitness Competitor Needs To Know Before Preparing For A Show” at http://www.eeinbb.com
-Grab your “My Own Motivation” tank top at https://shop.killitwithdrive.com/
-Support my podcast tour of The United States with a donation via Venmo! https://account.venmo.com/u/Michele-Welcome

Key Takeaways:
*Why are people showing up so unprepared for shows despite deep down really wanting to win? (4:15)
*When poor placement is NOT the coach’s fault (7:52)
*The three types of competitors in bodybuilding (9:47)
*Doors to the all new second edition of Posing Wins Shows just opened! (14:30)

--TRANSCRIPT-- 
Welcome back guys!  Wasn’t that interview on the last episode with Victor Black quite the listen?  By the way as it’s looking, that episode might surpass the episode 7 interview I did with IFBB Pro Physique competitor Jamie Pinder which is currently my top downloaded episode of all time. I’m super happy about this because it shows me that the conversations we are having on this show are important to you and not necessarily because they align with your personal decisions.  They interest you because they are… interesting.  

And that is why I started doing this show.  I didn’t want this podcast to be another pile of episodes of people sharing inspirational stories …or a bunch of show recaps for one federation of bodybuilding and leaving out the rest of the bodybuilding industry as if it doesn’t exist.  I’ve said it from the beginning that a bodybuilder is a bodybuilder no matter what federation. No matter what division.  Someone doesn’t work any less hard preparing for a show because they chose one particular federation and not another.  I’ve competed in 6 federations over the past 20 years and I can honestly say that I gave it my all for every show.  Why? Because I wanted to win.  

This podcast is for everyone in bodybuilding and fitness that wants to have interesting conversations in and around the industry as a whole, no matter how taboo the topic is.  It is also for people who want to win their shows and want cutting edge science based information that will help you achieve your goals.  And it is a show where I share a lot of my first hand experiences and perspectives on the industry over the past 20 years.  I appreciate all of you listening and especially those who are starting to tag me on social media in posts of you either spotting our podcast van or taking pictures of you next to the parked van.  

Speaking of podcast tour, we had to make a change in our tour schedule this week due to hurricane Ian.  We were scheduled to be in Tampa next week for some appearances but we decided to rerout west to avoid the storm as a whole. So we are now on our way west and will be arriving earlier than planned to the Las Vegas and Las Angeles areas.  We will be on the west coast for the rest of the year going show to show and trying to reach more listeners.

In the mean time, I’ve been doing some reflecting after head judging the Pro/Am WNBF show in New York last weekend and spectating at various other shows around the country while we have been on this podcast tour promoting the show….and I had a thought.  I’ve been thinking about the attitudes of people in this sport during their contest prep.  Everyone wants to win.  I think we all know that. But what I’m thinking about is WHYYY many people show up so UNPREPARED for their show…despite deep down wanting to win? 

I’m the most surprised at the amount of people who are pros and competing on pro stages and are really bad at posing.  I believe this is unacceptable. A pro should look polished on stage.  But it’s not just one person here or there with bad posing.  It’s a LOT of people.  Perhaps it’s because people are getting their pro cards left and right and aren’t truly READY to be a pro?  And if everyone is posing like a hot mess, at the end of the day someone has to win, so people with bad posing skills still win so bad posing can squeeze by at shows. 

But it’s not just posing. I’m also surprised at how many people on stage truly aren’t lean enough to be competitive and could have used quite a few more weeks of dieting.  And again, this goes for pros too.

So I go back to the question….why are people showing up so unprepared for shows despite deep down really wanting to win? 

I think it’s two fold. 

For one, I think it’s the culture we are in where everyone wants instant gratification and underestimates how much time it really requires to become great at something. Just because you achieved pro status doesn’t mean the improvements should ever stop either. For example, it was known that NBA basketball legend Larry Bird would begin his morning with 500 jump shots.  And then there is Michael Jordan and what was called the Breakfast Club, which was he and a group of teammates, that got together every morning for 2 hours to work out whether it was practice day or game day with the goal of being more prepared than anyone else.  These guys made it to the NBA and their work ethic was freaking awesome. They were always seeking improvement. They didn’t start shooting a basketball and then within 6 months make it to the NBA like in bodybuilding where people have been known to start exercising and after a few months get a pro card.

 I think with the influx of fitness influencers on social media making fitness look cool, I think people forget that bodybuilding is an extreme sport.  

Looking hot under expensive lighting with just the right angle in a photo will not translate to total domination on a bodybuilding stage. You most likely won’t be lean enough.  

Being super lean kinda hurts.  Again this is an extreme sport. The psychology of preparing for a show is equally as important as the physical part. 

And there is a difference between being starved and consuming poverty calories for a period of time and actually being lean.  You can be on poverty calories and still not be lean enough for your show. I hear people at shows crying about how much they miss carbs but they still look 4 weeks out.  An extreme drop in calories will make you hungry no matter what.  Being starved doesn’t mean you are lean.  They are two separate things. You aren’t lean, you are just hungry.

Which leads me to the second part of why I think people are showing up unprepared for shows despite deep down really wanting to win.

It’s your level of inner drive.  The how bad do you want it kind of drive.  Your ability to embrace the suck.  You can want something and it only be a wish.  It’s easy to get motivated for something for a few days or even a couple of weeks. But can you be like Michael Jordan and crew and keep the routine for 15 years straight no matter what?  What exactly IS it that will keep you getting up and slaying the day to reach your goals?  What type of motivation do YOU need and where are YOU going to pull it from?  

Which is why when it comes to how well you looked and placed on show day, I want to talk about how often I think it’s NOT the coaches fault. Coaches get all of the blame, whether it’s warranted or not.  One show and now a pro Coach Joe and his 800 calorie diets and 2 a day workouts deserves alllll of my sarcasm.  Not talking about that.

There are coaches who are actually phenomenal at what they do.  They have the knowledge and the heart to make you a champion.  And coaches like this get frustrated when they see the talent and potential in a client, give them the protocol, advice, and support to make them a champion…..but said client doesn’t follow the protocol, or follows it half ass, and never reaches his or her fullest potential.  But people will judge the outcome of the competitor on stage and attribute it to being all because of the coach’s skills.  How frustrating.

I admit I understand what that feels like from my own experiences with people as a posing and stage presentation educator and coach.  I’ve taken people with two left feet and turned them into total show stoppers. So I know it’s possible to make anyone look and feel like a champion on stage.  And then … I have had the client who has a ton of potential to be great and they book a session with me once in a while and then never practice anything they learned, so every time they come to me, I am covering the same material I taught them at the previous lesson and never really get anywhere with them. 

I’ll also get inquiries from people looking for an overhaul of their posing skills who think we are going to accomplish that in one session.  

To become great at ANYTHING takes TIME, patience, and consistency.  Partly why I created my weekly posing practice classes. I found that people will practice if they have accountability.  So I am that accountability for weekly posing practice year round. If you haven’t joined, go to weeklyposing.com and stop procrastinating.

So after reflecting on the various reasons I think people show up unprepared for their competition despite wanting to WIN I came up with three types of competitors in this sport. 

Which one are you?

There is the silent champion that puts the work in day in and day out, year round, and never complains.  She or he follows whatever plan is given, bodybuilding is truly a lifestyle and the nutrition and training requirements aren’t a big deal.  They enjoy it.  They are also the ones I’ve noticed as a posing coach come to me more regularly.  And in between sessions they practice everything we work on diligently. And on show day they show up looking their best. Even if they win their show, afterwards they immediately look for things they can do to improve on all aspects of competition including both the physique and the stage presentation. They start on making improvements right away.  This person is driven and their own motivation.  Does not need outside encouragement to become a champion.

Competitor #2 has the hash tag “beast mode” on every social media post when in reality it should say “least mode.” They are overly dramatic about all the woes of contest prep but somehow still look 8 weeks out when it comes show time. Secretly they are struggling with contest prep. They hire the most popular coaches thinking that they must have an easier magic pro card formula. From a posing standpoint they will only hire someone in person to teach them posing because they need the feeling of having extra attention on them.  It’s all about finding the easiest and most attention grabbing route. What they are really looking for is extra outward motivation, accountability, and encouragement, not for the love of the sport, but for the love of the attention and compliments. Competitor #2 doesn’t last long in a sport.

And then there is competitor #3. Loves fitness and leads a relatively healthy lifestyle year round. Doesn’t live for bodybuilding so gains a little extra weight in between shows. Loves to compete but loves to eat too.  When competitor #3 finally commits to a show, that commitment alone is the drive that carries him or her to do all the work needed to get to a show.  With the show date in sight, they now Put 100% effort into tracking food and training.  Also, they come out of nowhere and reach out to me for posing assistance because she/he is super rusty.  Competitor #3 feeds off of the crunch time vibe of a show date in sight, but often underestimates the amount of time needed to dial in their physique in order to be fully prepared. That extra weight they gained in the off season might mean 8 more weeks of prep but they decide to dial in without the extra 8 weeks of prep because they are motivated…and would rather work harder in a shorter amount of time. In addition, Competitor #3 underestimates the amount of posing practice time needed and the benefit of learning nee posing skills that will help them look their best on stage. This is the competitor that often shows up not lean enough and performs good but not great on stage.  

Bodybuilding is a sport that requires a unique kind of commitment.  It’s the most demanding and the least paying of all sports. It’s a 24 hour, 7 days a week commitment. But Winning doesn’t give you the $30mil per year contract like a Major League Baseball player.  The pay outs are so low I don’t think many pro bodybuilders even know how much the prize money even IS for their win.  Why? Because we are only talking maybe $5,000 for first place. No one is going to make a living off of $5,000 per year win.  

The achievement of Winning is the ultimate goal, not the money.  HOW one goes about preparing for the competition day to vie for the plastic trophy is determined by ….the motivation he or she is driven by.  Basically…what’s their motivation to win if it’s not money?

Are you your own motivation?  

Or are you looking for outside validation to feel more worthiness within?  

Orrr are you just a terrible procrastinator who has the capability of being awesome but needs better planning skills and more accountability when not in show season?

The silent champion competitors will become awesome in this sport.  

The least mode competitor, I can’t help you.

And the procrastinator you are the one with a ton of POTENTIAL to be awesome.  You are the one that can go from “meh” to superstar with better planning and year round accountability .  The drive is in there…it just needs better structure.

All right guys I hope if anything this episode gets you to think about contest prep a little differently.  I’ve got a really great interview coming up about the contest prep mistakes that keep happening despite science telling us otherwise.  It’s a fun listen coming up next week. 

Speaking of next week, I just opened the doors until next Saturday on the all new second edition of the Posing Wins Shows program for those who are competing this fall or spring next year and want to go from Meh to freaking awesome on stage. It’s an 8 week program and you will get a lot more of my personal support in this all new Fall edition of the program.  The enrollment closes next Saturday though so better go to posingwinsshows.com now before enrollment closes for the season. 

See you guys next week!

27: Why 90% of Current PED (Performance Enhancing Drugs) Models Are Dangerous And Inaccurate With Guest Victor Black

PEDs (Performance Enhancing Drugs) have become a constant topic of conversation in the sport of bodybuilding.

Our guest today, Victor Black, has a massive knowledge base on PEDs (i.e. performance enhancing drugs), hormones, metabolism control, and vitamins.  He ruffles a lot of feathers in the fitness and bodybuilding industry ... because he calls out highly influential and well known people on their lack of facts regarding the quality of information they share about PEDs and how it affects physiology.

 

Tune in as Victor Black raises new and uncomfortable conversations surrounding PEDs, myth busts some of the protocols given today, and offers a new approach to PEDs via his self proclaimed "Safer Use Model."

Find Victor on YouTube by searching Victor Black Masterclass

And on instagram at VictorBlackMasterclass

Be sure to join the Facebook group called “The ‘Everything Else’ in Bodybuilding Podcast Insiders!” to discuss episodes and follow the podcast tour as we travel the USA promoting the show.

Additional Resources:
-Want accountability for your ongoing posing practice? Go to: http://www.weeklyposing.com
-Doing a show? Want to Learn How To Pose? Go to: http://www.posingpractice.com 

-Want to WIN your next competition? I can help! Learn more at: http://www.posingwinsshows.com
-FREE posing tutorials for Figure, Bikini, and Men's Physique competitors at http://www.learntopose.com 
-FREE ebook “5 Things Every Bodybuilding and Fitness Competitor Needs To Know Before Preparing For A Show” at http://www.eeinbb.com
-Grab your “My Own Motivation” tank top at http://shop.killitwithdrive.com 
-Support my podcast tour of The United States with a donation via Venmo! https://account.venmo.com/u/Michele-Welcome

Key Takeaways:
*Meet Victor Black (2:34)
*What are the credentials of those who have published Information on steroids in bodybuilding (9:22)
*What are the origins of anabolic steroids (12:23)
*What is the difference between anabolic and androgenic (16:24)
*The historical use of PEDs (18:10)
*What is the Black Basal Model (21:18)
*What is an “anabolic steroid cycle” (23:47)
*How do anabolic steroid protocols differ rom men to women (24:58)
*What is the average dose given to a transgender person changing from a female to a male gender (27:30)
*Does the idea of a superhuman man/woman exist and is it sustainable? (33:30)
*What affects do steroids have on mental health? (39:45)
*Who made up the current guidelines on TRT and other hormones and how does it compare to the Black Basal Model? (43:44)
*How levels of testosterone and the entire endocrine profile are affected in natural bodybuilding (53:00)
*Why is anavar the first anabolic steroid usually given to women and why does Victor Black think it should be the last? (55:00)
*How does the dose given to a transgender female to become male compare to the doses of anavar given to female bodybuilders (1:04:00)
*PED protocols in women’s divisions (1:10:00)
*What does the future of aging look like? (1:21:00)
*What drives people to specific diets (1:24:40)
*How does the legality, issuance, and supply chain of anabolic steroids and other hormones differ around the world (1:28:00)
*Why is Victor Black’s WHY behind the conversations he brings forward to his audience and the bodybuilding community (1:40:08)

26: How To Travel And Still Be A Bodybuilder

We are about a month into our travels taking this podcast on tour of the United States, and have settled into somewhat of a groove with getting our nutrition and training in while on tour. Today I’m going to talk about the things we have done to adapt to getting our nutrition in while not having the luxuries of a stove, fridge, or much storage at all. I’m also going to talk about how we are adapting to changes in elevation, time zones, and lack of sleep.  I’ll also touch on some of the gyms we have stopped at and the people we have met along the way. 

Be sure to join the Facebook group called “The ‘Everything Else’ in Bodybuilding Podcast Insiders!” to discuss episodes and follow the podcast tour as we travel the USA promoting the show.

Additional Resources:
-Need accountability for your ongoing posing practice? Jump on my weekly posing practice classes at http://www.weeklyposing.com
-Doing a show? Not sure if you are posing correctly? Come to a Learn To Pose™ LIVE Virtual Clinic! www.posingpractice.com 
-Want to WIN your next competition? I can help! Learn more at: www.posingwinsshows.com
-FREE posing tutorials for Figure, Bikini, and Men's Physique competitors at www.learntopose.com 
-FREE ebook “5 Things Every Bodybuilding and Fitness Competitor Needs To Know Before Preparing For A Show” at www.eeinbb.com
-Grab your “My Own Motivation” tank top at shop.killitwithdrive.com 
-Support my podcast tour of The United States with a donation via Venmo! https://account.venmo.com/u/Michele-Welcome

Key Takeaways:
*Responses from people on the road (2:21)
*How we are getting adequate protein in (3:29)
*Suggestions on how to get adequate protein when flying (5:28)
*How we are getting adequate carb sources in (5:54)
*How we are getting adequate fat sources in (6:50)
*Current status of workouts (8:00) 
*Meeting Ken Weber from The Brickyard in Milwaukee, Wi (9:39)
*Meeting Dan Pasholk from Midtown Fitness in Madison, WI (9:57)
*Check out our tour dates and locations at eeinbb.com and text me 702-637-0091  to schedule a 1 on 1 in person posing lesson when we are in your area (10:47)

—Transcript—

We are just about a month into our travels as we take this podcast on tour of the United States. As you might know by now we are living in our van so we don’t have the luxuries of a refrigerator, stove, or really much storage at all.  We are traveling through multiple time zones and adapting to the various weather conditions as we migrate from place to place around the country. We are meeting a lot of really great people, visiting a lot of really great places, and building new relationships with people you just can’t do over the phone.  

We’ve only been flipped the  bird once so far by another driver.  Not quite the honk and wave if you see us response, but after many hours of driving it was a nice change in scenery. A young guy did walk into a pillar checking out the van at a gas station and I had to speed walk to get inside to hide my laugh. I’m not very good at holding back when things are funny.  Especially if someone trips. The obnoxious flailing of the arms……the ridiculous fall…I’m done. We did get an honest question from a young guy asking us what the podcast, the everything else in bodybuilding, is about.  Vassilios was stuck for a moment not sure how to respond, but he was great about it and encouraged him to listen to the show. 

I’m actually talking to you right now from Santa Fe New Mexico in a 2 star hotel room I got a last minute deal on from the Hotwire app. It feels good to have some space that we can sit down in and kick our feet up.  Vassilios has been inspired to write music so it’s been nice to have what I call living room concerts while I work on my computer. We haven’t had a good night sleep in weeks so it is a real treat to be here. 

As you can imagine there is a lot of instability when living in a van and not having simple pleasures. So how do we manage being a bodybuilder during all of this? 

We’ve settled into somewhat of a rhythm now with our eating patterns. We both consume a lot of protein so we supplement with at least 1 meal replacement shake a day so Vassilios doesn’t have to grill our protein on the side of the road more than 1-2x per day.  We ran out of those meal replacement shakes that I love and grabbed a box of some generic chemical shitstorm meal replacements from the grocery store until we can re-supply ourselves with the good stuff.   The store bought shakes taste gross and give me heartburn from all the gums and fake thickeners in them but it’s an easy way to get 30 grams of protein in.  It takes me forever to drink them but eventually I get it down.  

Meal replacement shakes in powder form are good for flying too because you can bring a shaker cup and a packet of protein with you and just grab an overly priced water bottle from the airport and mix up a shake during flight.  The shakes I drink have 36 grams of protein, 21 grams of carbs, 6 grams of fat, and loaded with vitamins and minerals. It’s not just a whey protein shake, it’s a complete meal replacement.  So when traveling I have 2 of them a day and that gets me 72 grams of protein.  Vassilios sometimes does 3 shakes since he eats over 300 grams of protein a day. 

Besides the shakes, Vassilios cooks me burgers on our grill every day unless we grab a rotisserie chicken from Whole Foods or, out west ,there is a nice small store called Sprouts that I like to get groceries at.   

Once in a while we grab steak from a restaurant and I take half of it to go so I can eat it cold as a snack later. Instead of a giant to-go box for my little bit of steak, I ask for tin foil to wrap the steak in so it fits in my purse. Vassilios gives me gross face when I whip out my foil covered steak from my purse and start munching on it. He then proceeds to drink one of those store bought generic shit storm shakes so I give him gross face right back.  If you are flying somewhere and don’t care about eating meat cold like me, you could always get a solid meal at the airport with steak or chicken and take the extra protein with you on the flight too.  Sometimes you get stuck with an airport that only has fast food though so meal replacements and jerky will be your best bet in those situations.  

If you are flying and in contest prep, and need to measure your food extra closely, you can cook your meat ahead of time and freeze it.  Frozen meat will keep on a flight, especially if you wrap it in frozen veggies.  You can’t bring liquids on a flight, but you can bring food, so I use frozen veggies over freezer packs.  Measure your meat out ahead of time, pack them in individually wrapped zip lock bags, label them, freeze them, and then pack them. 

For our carbs sources while we are on tour, Vassilios likes bananas and I like clementines, especially the smaller ones that tend to be sweeter. By the way, they are easy to bring on flights too.  The key with fruit on a road trip, though, is to make sure the fruit has a natural casing so it is less likely to attract flies. While traveling through Idaho where it is pretty much all farms and there are flies everywhere you go, If Vassilios cut into a pineapple, within seconds there was a swarm of flies. I got so frustrated one day I went to battle with the flies. I bought a $1 fly swatter from the gas station and hopped in the back of the van and flung that fly swatter around like a mad woman until every fly was gone.  Every time I got one I would let out a good cheer.   At first Vassilios thought I was going crazy until I caught him grabbing the fly swatter, catching a fly, and letting out a “take THAT mother fr”. As you can imagine I wasted no time laughing and teasing him! See!

Getting our sources of fat in is pretty easy. Although I get the leaner ground beef, there is still fat in the beef.  I supplement the fat with butter.  Vassilios really loves the Kerigold brand of butter and just bites into it like a candy bar. He gets a lot more fat and carbs than me so our challenge is making sure we keep his volume of food UP every day.  For fats you can do things like almonds and other nuts too, but I’m liking the butter right now because it has barely any carbs, and nuts have carbs, so having butter means I get to have more clementines for my carbs. 

On our long travel days between cities our go to protein snack is beef jerky. Beef jerky travels easy and is packed with protein so it’s great for when you are on the run.  It’s great if you are flying too because you don’t have to worry about liquids.  It’s not easy finding beef jerky that is either tender or not loaded with chemicals. I grabbed an all natural bag of jerky at a health food store one day and I had to stop eating the jerky halfway through the bag to let my jaw relax.  It was so tired of chewing.  Plus the flavor after a while became pretty pungent too.  So I always make sure we have a bag or two of the brand we like on hand. We even found it at Walmart for much cheaper than at a gas station, so we stock up whenever we are there.  

As for our workouts, I’ve been pretty fatigued from driving, lack of sleep, and intermittent sleep, so I’ve been listening my body and making sure I get the work in to sustain my muscle, but I haven’t been training to make gains for a few weeks now. My strength is still up, and is actually climbing with some exercises, so I know I’m still ok for the time being. 

Plus, we have been in areas with a high elevation and that has greatly affected our workouts.  Man has it been a challenge to train in high altitude. People say it all the time, but you have to experience it sometime to know what it’s like.  We were in Colorado and Utah a week ago where the elevation was around 5,000 and when trying to train I would get light headed with every set. My strength was good, but the cardiovascular component restricted my total output. Right now in Santa Fe, the elevation is over 7,000 feet, so I’m taking more time in between sets to make sure I don’t pass out.  Even getting up and down from the floor when doing laundry makes me light headed. 

In another day or so we will be heading to the San Antonio Texas area so we will be back to a lower elevation soon.  But in the meantime, the goal is to get enough work in to keep up the momentum with my strength and muscle mass. 

We have a membership at a corporate gym that has a ton of locations around the country so we have this gym as a fallback to get our workouts in no matter where we are in the country.  What’s been cool are some of the really cool non-corporate gyms we have stopped at along the way to get our workouts in.   We did a couple pop up mini interviews of the owners of a couple of these cool gyms and I filmed a bunch of footage of the facilities too. 

I will be making some YouTube videos of these experiences so be sure to search my name on YouTube and find my channel.   We spoke with Ken Weber at his facility, the Brickyard, in Milwaukee which is known for it’s old school machines and talked with him about the evolution of the gym environment over the past 40 years, since he has owned facilities and competed in bodybuilding since the 1970s. It was a great interview.  

We also did a pop up interview of Dan Pasholk from MadTown Fitness in Madison Wisconsin.  You might have seen the interview and tour John Meadows did a few years ago when he stopped by this facility.  Since then a lot has changed and you’ll hear about it in the mini interview we did with Dan in his parking lot. The gym has a ton of unique equipment and I especially loved all the leg machines.  One stand out for me that I absolutely loved about his gym, is his new posing room.  Dan built it himself and there are mirrors from all angles so you can see your physique from all angles.  I filmed the room and the facility and I will show you on YouTube.  

Dan, by the way, was a really nice guy. We even talked with him about doing a pop up posing clinic for all his gym members the next time I am in the area, and he was excited about it.  

Speaking of, you guys, we are still on tour and will be in Texas for a bit before heading on over to North Carolina and then New York. Check out our tour dates and locations at eeinbb.com and text me 702-637-0091  to schedule a 1 on 1 in person posing lesson when we are in your area. You will get film footage and custom drills to do after your session so you know the things to work on to help you excel at posing.  So send me a text and let’s connect!

In the meantime, let me hold you accountable with your posing practice, and jump on my weekly posing practice classes going on right now at www.weeklyposing.com or if you are new and want to learn how to pose correctly from the start come to a virtual posing clinic at posingpractice.com .

I’m signing off for today since it’s time to check out of our hotel but I will be back next week with another interview. The most listened to episode of my podcast so far was episode 7 with Jamie Pinder and all about performance enhancing drugs.  My next interview is with someone who gives the male perspective of performance enhancing drugs and turns the protocols out there for both men and women upside down.  He is known for ruffling quite a few feathers because he calls out so-called gurus in our sport.  I think you guys will find what he says very interesting.  

And if you get chance, like, subscribe, and leave a review on iTunes if you are listening there. If you are listening elsewhere you can’t leave a review but you can share it in fitness groups to spread the word. If you see us on the road, honk and wave, or you can flip us off too.  Talk to you next week!